the pressure goes no higher, we are not
alarmed, for we have come to recognize a blood-pressure of 140 as
about the normal pressure of the pregnant woman.

There are a number of factors which enter into the raising of the
blood-pressure. For instance, at any time during the pregnancy, if the
eliminative organs of the mother are doing inefficient work, if she
falls a victim to a torpid liver, diseased kidneys, decreased skin
elimination, or sluggish bowels, then, with the added and extra
excretions from the child, there is superimposed upon the mother far
more than the normal amount of eliminative work--and then, because of
improper and incomplete elimination, the blood-pressure is
increasingly raised.

ECLAMPSIA PREVENTED

This whole subject can best be illustrated by relating a story, the
actual experience of Mrs. A. This patient came to the office with a
history of Bright's disease (albumin and casts in the urine), and
chronic appendicitis. While treating her for the kidney condition,
preparatory to an operation for the removal of the troublesome
appendix--in the very midst of this treatment--she became pregnant,
and great indeed was our dismay. We entertained little hope of getting
both the mother and child safely through. Frequent examination of
urine was instituted, the albumin did not increase and the
blood-pressure remained at normal--about 124 mm. She paid weekly or
bi-weekly visits to the office and carefully followed the regime
outlined. She drank abundantly of water and strictly followed the
dietary prescribed. Weeks and months passed uneventful, until we
approached the last six weeks of pregnancy, and then we found to our
surprise one day that the blood-pressure had made a sudden jump up to
175 mm., while the urine revealed the presence of numerous casts and
albumin--in the meantime the albumin had entirely disappeared. There
were also other urinary findings which showed that the liver was not
doing its share in the work of burning up certain poisons.

In her home we began the following program: Every day we had her
placed in a bathtub of hot water, keeping cold cloths upon her brow,
face and neck, and then, by increasing the temperature of the bath, we
produced a very profuse perspiration. She was taken out of this bath
and wrapped in blankets, thus continuing the sweat. All meat, baked
beans, and such foods as macaroni and other articles containing a high
per cent of protein were largely eliminated